The Mourinho Thread

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

I like most of what you say here but I would put just a little more emphasis on the idea that playing defensively does not mean you are not playing to win. I know many disagree but I believe it is perfectly legitimate to set out to win on the counter. Had the players been able to pass the ball a little better at The Ethiad the plan would have worked and we'd have beaten them again. As it was we nearly won anyway despite playing badly in possession. This suggests to me that it was a pretty good game plan.

BTW, just in case you aren't aware, it's 'gung ho'.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

We parked the bus, plane, submarine whatever you want to call it. Quite frankly, the way we played was embarrassing, like Pellegrini said, it was like Stoke. They even showed more ambition than us when they won at the Etihad. I wouldn't admit it on a "public" forum, only on a Chelsea one. The quality of our play or lack thereof was a joke and it was difficult/painful to watch. If I wasn't a Chelsea fan, I'll have been laughing at the team in royal blue on Sunday.

I still laughing at Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and MU every week. And their fans still thinking they are on the same level with Bayern or something..

So, yes, f*** everything other fans said. We are happy with the point(s) we got from those matches in the end.

[Jase 43,479]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

Hit the nail on the head there mate.

One thing I'm proud of this team is that we are tactically flexible and adaptable. If you want us to play on the offensive, we can do that. If you want us to play on the break, we can also do that. It's like what Gary Neville alluded to the other day, we see who is our next opponent and adjust our approach to it, we pay respect to the opposition. If you just want to have a team who plays the same way home or away, big games or not big games, then those Red lots in North London and Merseyside will provide the entertainment. Our versatility in this has been one of the reasons why we have been able to win so many trophies down the years, more so than those said teams.

[Joker10 946]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

The thing is our strategy are results oriented. Whatever the strategy needed as long as we get some points doesn't matter imo. Whether we put 6 defender as starter, play Ivan as a striker, Costa as a CB, whatever necessary to achieve our target should be no problem.

You basically said that we shouldn't playing like that because we are currently top of the league? Am I missing some rules here that can or can't be done as a league leader? For whom we should play attractive football for? Neutral fans? Media?

No, we will still playing the same strategy like that regardless our position, whether we are 15th, 3rd or 1st.

[ballackstothat 43]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

park the bus, park the bus. dipper alert. straight out of the sun school of football terminology.

[zolayes 14,489]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

we were the leaders after FOUR games playing the current champions away . IT WAS a good point .

[Jase 43,479]

we were the leaders after FOUR games playing the current champions away . IT WAS a good point .

Guess one can't please everyone. Some won't be happy till we play like Arsenal or Liverpool in every game regardless of home/away and the opposition.

[Barbara 15,149]

Guess one can't please everyone. Some won't be happy till we play like Arsenal or Liverpool in every game regardless of home/away and the opposition.

the big question is how much happier they will be if we start getting the same kind of results they do...

[Joker10 946]

The thing is our strategy are results oriented. Whatever the strategy needed as long as we get some points doesn't matter imo. Whether we put 6 defender as starter, play Ivan as a striker, Costa as a CB, whatever necessary to achieve our target should be no problem.

You basically said that we shouldn't playing like that because we are currently top of the league? Am I missing some rules here that can or can't be done as a league leader? For whom we should play attractive football for? Neutral fans? Media?

No, we will still playing the same strategy like that regardless our position, whether we are 15th, 3rd or 1st.

Meh i won't waste my time with this debate if you don't think there is anything wrong with playing cowardly and scared. Also i don't know about you i was eagerly waiting to see how this team deals with their biggest challenge so far in the season. All i saw was one manager not allowing his team to play football and get completely dominated by the opposition. It was a waste of 2 hours of my day tbh, I usually watch every Chelsea game at least twice and that game was not even worth just the highlight.

[zolayes 14,489]

the big question is how much happier they will be if we start getting the same kind of results they do...

NO they will bitch like fuck and blame it on Oscar ,, Hazard ,, Mikel ,, Jose ,, oe TORRES and Lampard

[zolayes 14,489]

Meh i won't waste my time with this debate if you don't think there is anything wrong with playing cowardly and scared. Also i don't know about you i was eagerly waiting to see how this team deals with their biggest challenge so far in the season. All i saw was one manager not allowing his team to play football and get completely dominated by the opposition. It was a waste of 2 hours of my day tbh, I usually watch every Chelsea game at least twice and that game was not even worth just the highlight.

GO PLAY A SPORT THEN ...or walk the dog

[ballackstothat 43]

GO PLAY A SPORT THEN ...or walk the dog

hahaha these will be the same people who will bitch, if we let in two goals tomorrow against villa!

[ballackstothat 43]

we can always go back to playing the a.v.b way, and be 4th and 9 points behind manc citeh!

[Myself 793]

oh god, just imagine the moanfest if we lose/draw tomorrow

[Chelsea? 892]

do you guys see us ever playing like Madrid did under Jose? I don't remember them defending like we do against bigger clubs. Or are we gonna just get better and eventually play like Atletico?

[Barbara 15,149]

do you guys see us ever playing like Madrid did under Jose? I don't remember them defending like we do against bigger clubs. Or are we gonna just get better and eventually play like Atletico?

Honestly? Defensive wise is like comparing apples and oranges. La Liga is such a light league, with huge pitches and teams more likely to play a style closer to Barcelona tiki taka rather than Madrid counter. That's why atlético was successful there last year with such a physical style, no teams practice it there.

Mourinho only worried about Barça defensively. Against them it was more defensive and he was cautious playing Valencia that was the third force for most time he's spent there.

What forces him to play more defensive here is better opposition, faster and more physical teams and it being a more competitive league. Now regarding the attack, I do believe he wants to emulate what he had there, but defensively the leagues are two worlds apart.

[Chelsea? 892]

Honestly? Defensive wise is like comparing apples and oranges. La Liga is such a light league, with huge pitches and teams more likely to play a style closer to Barcelona tiki taka rather than Madrid counter. That's why atlético was successful there last year with such a physical style, no teams practice it there.

Mourinho only worried about Barça defensively. Against them it was more defensive and he was cautious playing Valencia that was the third force for most time he's spent there.

What forces him to play more defensive here is better opposition, faster and more physical teams and it being a more competitive league. Now regarding the attack, I do believe he wants to emulate what he had there, but defensively the leagues are two worlds apart.

I see your point. But even in the CL Madrid still played attacking football and I think that's partly due to the squad he had. Our squad this year will be better off attacking than defending. Going forward I think we should be more attacking focused in bigger games as it serves as our best chance to win.